Using storyboards is a great way for students to distinguish the differences between the imperfect and passé composé. Using a T Chart, students will write sentences using the imperfect and passé composé and illustrate scenes to go along with it. This format can help students identify a number of differences between the two tenses, such as sustained action vs. finite action, or habitual action vs. one-time events.
The sample storyboard is set up to display an ongoing action interrupted by a one-time action. The storyboard images will help students envision the scenario and further solidify the grammatical rule. This can be altered and used as a template for students, or students can create their own scenarios from the blank template provided.
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Student Instructions
Use a T Chart to practice writing in the imparfait and passé composé. Create sentences that describe finite and interrupting actions.
Enhance student understanding by including oral exercises where students explain their storyboard scenes using both tenses aloud. This boosts speaking confidence and helps identify areas of confusion.
Demonstrate how to describe a storyboard scene using the imperfect and passé composé by speaking out loud as you point to each panel. Modeling provides clear examples and sets expectations for students.
Assign students to partners and have them take turns describing each other’s storyboard panels using both tenses. Peer feedback encourages active listening and reinforces correct usage in context.
Provide sentence starters like “Quand j’étais jeune, je…” or “Soudain, il/elle a…” to help students structure their oral explanations. Scaffolding supports learners at all proficiency levels.
Invite several students to share their storyboard scenes orally with the class, ensuring each uses both tenses. Whole-class sharing promotes accountability and reinforces learning.
The imperfect tense (imparfait) in French describes ongoing, habitual, or background actions in the past, while the passé composé is used for completed, one-time, or interrupting actions. Using both helps convey the timeline and nature of past events more precisely.
Storyboards visually illustrate the contrast between ongoing and finite actions, making it easier for students to grasp when to use the imperfect vs. passé composé. Creating images for each tense helps reinforce understanding through context and storytelling.
A T Chart is a graphic organizer with two columns. For French tenses, use one side for imperfect sentences (ongoing actions) and the other for passé composé (interrupting or completed actions). Add illustrations to clarify each scenario.
Yes! Allowing students to make up their own scenarios encourages creativity and deeper learning. They can use blank templates to invent stories, write sentences for each tense, and illustrate the events, making grammar practice engaging.
Example: Je lisais un livre quand le téléphone a sonné. (I was reading a book when the phone rang.) Here, lisais (was reading) is imperfect for the background action, and a sonné (rang) is passé composé for the interrupting event.